The fake Rolex 16610LV V5 is the fifth major revision of the replica Submariner 16610LV, the green-bezel Kermit model. Buyers treat V5 as the batch where the case shape, bezel insert color, and dial text come close to the genuine watch at arm's length. Versions V1 through V4 each fixed one or two flaws, and V5 collects those fixes into one build.
What Is the Rolex 16610LV?
Rolex launched the 16610LV in 2003 for the Submariner's 50th birthday. The letters LV stand for lunette verte, French for green bezel. Production ended in 2010, when Rolex moved the line to the ceramic-bezel 116610LV, known as the Hulk.
Specs of the original watch:
- 40 mm stainless steel case
- Black dial with maxi hour markers, larger than the standard 16610
- Green aluminum bezel insert with silver numerals
- Caliber 3135 automatic movement, 28,800 vph
- Luminous hour markers and Mercedes hands
What Does V5 Mean in Replica Watches?
Replica makers use version numbers to mark batches. Each new batch corrects flaws buyers complained about in the last one, so V5 sits above the first high-quality 16610LV replicas.
Changes that show up between versions:
- Bezel insert: green tone and font get closer to the real insert
- Case: crown guards, lug shape, and bevels get a sharper cut
- Dial: text weight, marker size, and lume color get corrected
- Movement: an Asian 3135 clone replaces cheaper workhorse movements
- Bracelet: solid end links and clasp stamping improve
16610LV V5 Specs at a Glance
- Case: 40 mm, 316L or 904L steel
- Thickness: about 12.5 mm
- Crystal: sapphire with a cyclops lens over the date
- Bezel: green insert, 120-click unidirectional
- Dial: black with maxi markers and Mercedes hands
- Movement: Asian 3135 clone, 28,800 vph, around 40-hour power reserve
- Water resistance: rated by sellers, rarely tested past 30 m
What Changed from V4 to V5?
The V4 was already a solid build, so V5 changes are small. Most of them target the bezel and the dial, the two areas people notice first.
- Bezel insert color shifted from a flat grass green to the warmer olive tone of the original
- Insert pearl sits lower and carries a cleaner metal ring
- Dial print weight is thinner, closer to the genuine SUBMARINER text
- Crown guards got a slight shave for a slimmer side profile
- Movement plate decoration and rotor engraving look closer to a 3135
How to Check a V5 Before You Buy
- Ask for daylight photos of the bezel insert. Green inserts look wrong under warm indoor light.
- Check the date window. The cyclops should magnify 2.5x, and the font should be a clean serif.
- Look at the lug-to-bracelet fit. Gaps mean a mismatched case and bracelet.
- Test the bezel action. Genuine 16610 bezels click with no back play.
- Confirm the movement. A 3135 clone hacks and winds smooth; a cheap 21-jewel movement does not.
- Weigh the watch. A full steel Submariner with all links comes in near 130 grams.
Flaws That Remain on the V5
- Crystal height: replica crystals often sit a hair tall
- Date font: the numeral 1 can look too straight
- SEL recess: end links may sit flush instead of slightly recessed
- Lume: the glow fades faster than SuperLuminova on the real watch
- Rehaut engraving: text depth differs under magnification
Why Buyers Pick the 16610LV Over Other Replicas
The 16610LV is the last Submariner with an aluminum bezel, so it has a warmer, less glossy look than ceramic models. That vintage feel makes it a common first pick for people who want a Submariner replica that does not shout.
- Aluminum insert is easier to copy than a ceramic one
- 40 mm case fits most wrists
- Fewer moving parts than newer references
- Parts and bracelets are easy to source
Price and Legal Notes
Most V5 builds sell in the low-to-mid hundreds of US dollars. Movement and steel grade drive the spread: a 904L case with a decorated 3135 clone costs more than a 316L case with a basic automatic.
One point buyers skip: selling or importing counterfeit watches is illegal in the US and most of the EU. Enforcement aims at sellers, but buyers can face seizure at customs. Treat any purchase as a risk you take on your own.
FAQ
Is the 16610LV V5 a real Rolex?
No. It is a replica built by an aftermarket factory. Rolex no longer sells the 16610LV, and no V5 version exists in the Rolex catalog.
Does the V5 use a real Rolex movement?
No. It uses an Asian copy of the 3135. Some sellers offer a Swiss ETA 2824 instead. That is a real Swiss movement, but it is not the one the 16610LV came with.
Can a jeweler tell a 16610LV V5 from the real thing?
Yes, under a loupe. Caseback engraving, movement finishing, and dial print weight give it away. At arm's length, most people will not spot it.
Which version should a first-time buyer pick?
V5 is the safe pick for the 16610LV. Older V3 and V4 builds cost less but need bezel and dial work to look right.